Lawyers storm National Assembly, demand takeover of Benue, Zamfara Assemblies over suspensions

Over 1,000 lawyers under the aegis of the Save Benue and Zamfara Coalition on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly complex, calling for the federal legislature to take over the functions of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly.

The lawyers submitted a petition to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, invoking Section 11(4) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to assume legislative functions of a state assembly if it becomes incapable of performing its duties.

Led by Barrister Sambari Benjamin, the coalition cited prolonged crises and alleged interference by state governors as grounds for their demand. 

They noted that in Zamfara, 10 lawmakers have remained suspended since February 2024 for allegedly raising concerns over growing insecurity in the state—an action they claim was carried out on the directive of Governor Dauda Lawal.

In a similar development in Benue State, the coalition alleged that 13 members of the House of Assembly were suspended for declining to support Governor Hyacinth Alia’s purported request to suspend the Chief Judge of the state.

“These actions have effectively paralyzed the legislatures in both states, denying citizens democratic representation,” the petition read.

The group warned that continued inaction could lead to the declaration of a state of emergency in both states, similar to the one ratified by the National Assembly in Rivers State. 

They expressed fears that the crisis, if left unchecked, could spread to the National Assembly itself, threatening the nation’s democratic framework.

“We write to request the urgent intervention of the Senate under your able leadership to forestall the demise of our democracy in instalments,” the petition stated.

“Allowing this situation to continue will end in President Tinubu proclaiming state of emergency in both places and suspending the assemblies, by which time the National Assembly will no longer be able to constitutionally intervene.”

The coalition urged the Senate to immediately act in accordance with Section 11(4) to prevent further constitutional crises and preserve democratic governance in Benue and Zamfara States.